UNITED NATIONS, July 28: The UN Human Rights Committee on Friday issued a strongly worded critique of the US government’s rights record at home and abroad, calling upon Washington to close down all secret detention facilities.

The watchdog also asked the United States to ensure that all detainees at Guantanamo Bay were provided a fair opportunity to challenge the lawfulness of their detention and to hold accountable all persons responsible for abuse and torture.

It also criticised US domestic policies on asylum-seekers and prisoners.

“The UN committee clearly rejected the Bush administration’s claim that it isn’t violating the UN treaty on civil and political rights when it acts beyond its own borders,” said Alison Parker, acting director at Human Rights Watch.